TAMPA – Win or lose, the Yankees have learned how to deal with adversity. There is no pressure-cooker like playing in New York.

Gary Sheffield put up MVP-caliber numbers last year playing in that environment. So when word spread yesterday about despondent Barry Bonds, who is in the eye of the steroid storm, saying he may miss the entire season because of ongoing knee problems, Sheffield, who knows Bonds better than anyone in the Yankees clubhouse, said he felt Bonds was just being emotional during his troubled times.

“We want him to play,” said Sheffield, who is no longer close to Bonds.

As for Bonds’ assault on Hank Aaron’s home-run record, Sheffield said, “We want to see it. Go get what’s yours.”

Derek Jeter said he was surprised to hear the news.

“I’m not a doctor, but I assume it has to be something pretty serious to miss that much time, half a year or a full year, it’s got to be something serious,” Jeter said. “Injuries are tough. I feel bad for him.”

Bernie Williams said, “I don’t know what’s on his mind. It seems like he’s under a lot of pressure. He’s frustrated with all that’s happening to him. He’s pursuing all these milestones, but instead of hearing positive stories he’s hearing negative.

“This should be one of the greatest moments of his career, but it’s turning into a bitter situation,” Williams said. “I think it’s sad.”

A sad situation, but a situation Bonds helped create.

As a fan of the game, Jeter said he is excited about seeing Bonds attempt to break the all-time home-run record. Bonds is at 703 home runs, behind Babe Ruth at 714 and Aaron at 755.

“All this stuff aside, baseball-wise, it’s exciting anytime you have someone approaching records or milestones,” Jeter said. “It keeps everyone watching. I think that’s great for the game. It puts the attention on the game in a positive way. Unfortunately, you have all this other stuff that’s going on.

“He loves to play the game. He’s one of the greatest players of all time, so I’m looking forward to seeing him back on the field playing.”

In typical Bonds’ fashion, he blamed the media for his woes, noting, “You wanted to bring me down, you’ve finally brought me and my family down.”

Joe Torre said, “When you don’t feel good, certainly it doesn’t make it as much fun as it should be. That’s probably the biggest part of it. And when you don’t feel good, you get a little cranky, too. I’ve experienced that myself.

“If it’s not fun for him, I don’t think the record will be as satisfying,” Torre said. “When he starts feeling better, he may change his thinking. I think we have to wait and see how this plays out. Barry has been a special player for a long, long time. He’s used to going out there and playing. We have to wait; not that he doesn’t mean it, but the way that he feels now may be the reason he said that.”

Whether he’s playing or not, Bonds will remain in the eye of the storm.

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Fans speak out

“I didn’t think it was by accident that he had surgery on the day of the Congressional hearings. It just seems like he is trying to get away from the smoke. He is just trying to get out of the limelight.” – Brendan Kirkpatrick, 24, bartender, Hoboken

“It’s kind of disappointing because we are trying to see him break records toward the end of his career. I think with a lot of pressure with BALCO and the steroids, he could be hiding some things with his health, but you never know how much stress can put on a person’s body.” – Hefner Gibson, 29, human resource manager, Brooklyn

“I think he just wants to get out of the spotlight because of the trial and the BALCO thing and what not. He wasn’t called to the Congressional hearings, but it will keep him out of the spotlight for a while and keep him out of the media.” – Paul Lacy, 16, student, Oakland, Calif.

“He is pretty much telling people he is bigger than the game. It is like the kid playing in the schoolyard, taking his ball and going home. ‘You guys are breaking my chops. I’m either going to play the game my way or it is the highway.’ ” – Frank DeMeo, 49, charity director, Staten Island

“I’m not surprised he is taking the time off with everything that is happening. He has to worry that he possibly perjured himself during grand jury testimony. I’m not surprised to see if he might try to lay low for a while and see if this blows over.” – Mike Fearon, 23 dispatcher, Boston